Segregation of functionality in monitoring and controller devices

ABSTRACT

A fob device for integrating a one or more monitoring and control devices is provided. The fob device includes a plurality of input modules. The input modules are configured to connect with one of a plurality of monitoring or control devices. The plurality of monitoring and control devices are devices utilizing at least two distinct communication protocols. The fob also has at least one output module that may connect to a remote computing device, and an electronic control unit. The fob device may receive data from the monitoring and control devices communicatively coupled to the fob device and associate the received data with the monitoring or control device from which it was received. The fob outputs the received data that is associated with one of the communicatively coupled monitoring or control devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/156,230, which was filed on May 2, 2015, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

New technology is rapidly changing the way we do things and theinformation that is available. Today's average consumer has affordableaccess to wearable devices that capture information, remote monitoringdevices such as cameras or thermostats, and control devices that lockand unlock doors or open and close garage doors. One of the great issuesis the lack of integration. A consumer might have to access severaldifferent devices and/or applications to get information or to controlsuch things as a thermostat, garage door opener, digital video recorder,door lock, security camera, alarm system, or get information from theirwearable devices. The present invention seeks to resolve this bycreating an integrated system that centralizes the monitoring, reportingand control functions of monitoring and control devices.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments have been developed in light of the above andaspects of the invention may include a fob device for integrating a oneor more monitoring and control devices. The fob device includes aplurality of input modules. The input modules are configured to connectwith one of a plurality of monitoring or control devices. The pluralityof monitoring and control devices are devices utilizing at least twodistinct communication protocols. The fob also has at least one outputmodule that may connect to a remote computing device, and an electroniccontrol unit. The fob device may receive data from the monitoring andcontrol devices communicatively coupled to the fob device and associatethe received data with the monitoring or control device from which itwas received. The fob outputs the received data that is associated withone of the communicatively coupled monitoring or control devices

In some embodiments, when the fob device connects with thecommunicatively coupled monitoring or control devices, the key fobcaptures and records information about the devices. The captured andrecorded information may comprise device manufacturer, model number, anddata format. The electronic control unit of the fob device may associatethe received data by tagging the received data with captured andrecorded information. Alternatively or additionally, the electroniccontrol unit may modify the received data to include the captured andrecorded information.

In further embodiments, there may be a monitoring and/or control devicehaving segregated functionality. Such a device may include at least onefirst modular component configured to perform a first functionality. Thefirst modular portion may have one or more input/output modules. Theremay further be at least one second modular component configured toperform a second functionality. The second modular portion may also haveone or more input/output modules, and the at least one second modularcomponent may be configured to be communicatively coupled to the atleast one first modular component. The first functionality may beoperable independent of the second functionality.

In some embodiments, the at least one first modular component is a fobdevice configured to be communicatively coupled to a plurality of thesecond modular component. The second modular component may be a wearabledevice. The wearable device may include a first modular subpart and atleast one interchangeable second modular subpart. The first modularsubpart may be communicatively coupled to the fob device, and theinterchangeable second modular subpart may be communicatively coupled tothe first modular subpart.

In still further embodiments, a method is provided for controlling andintegrating a plurality of monitoring and control devices. The methodmay include providing a fob device that has a plurality of inputmodules. The input modules may each be configured to connect with one ofthe plurality of monitoring or control devices. The plurality ofmonitoring and control devices comprising devices utilize at least twodistinct communication protocols. The fob has at least one output moduleconfigured to be communicatively coupled to a remote computing device,and an electronic control unit.

The method may further comprise receiving data at the fob device fromone or more of the plurality of monitoring and control devicescommunicatively coupled to the fob device. The received data may beassociated with one of the communicatively coupled monitoring or controldevices from which it was received. The received data associated withthe one of the communicatively coupled monitoring or control devices maythen be output to the remote computing device.

In some embodiments, when the fob device connects with thecommunicatively coupled monitoring or control devices, the key fobcaptures and records information about the devices. The captured andrecorded information may include device manufacturer, model number, anddata format. The electronic control unit may associate the received databy tagging the received data with captured and recorded information orby modifying the received data to include the captured and recordedinformation.

In other embodiments, the method further comprises providing programinstructions executable on at least one of the fob device or the remotecomputing device, and based on information received from a first deviceof the plurality of monitoring and control devices at the fob device,determining a command executable by a second device of the plurality ofmonitoring and control devices. The fob device may output the command tothe second device. The plurality of monitoring and control devices maycomprise a wearable device and/or an Internet of Things device.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention overthe prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of thedrawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a monitoring or control system, according toone exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an electronic FOB device for integratingfunctionality of a plurality of monitoring or control devices, accordingto one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a computing or mobile device for the monitoringand control system, according to one exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough description of the present invention.It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known features have not been described in detailso as not to obscure the invention.

Monitoring and control devices may include such things as garage dooropeners, thermostats, coffee makers, televisions, digital videorecorders, satellite receivers, computers, cable receivers, cellularphones, light switches, sprinkler systems, refrigerators, washingmachines, dryers, microwaves, security systems, surveillance cameras,dish washers and similar devices.

Wearable technology involves incorporating electronic or mechanicaltechnology into items that are worn on the body. Such devices may beused to capture and transmit information including but not limited tosuch things as heart rate, blood pressure, movement, velocity,acceleration, physical location, air pressure, humidity, and other data.

Wearables may be incorporated into items like shoes, clothing, and otheraccessories that are worn on the body. Examples of wearables may includeheadbands, beanies, hats, shoes, shorts, pants, belts, shirts, jackets,wrist bands, vests, sweatshirts, ear muffs, scarves, socks, gloves,armbands, jewelry, sashes, sunglasses, suspenders, ties, coats, jackets,dresses, fanny packs, suits, T shirts, skirts, bathing suits, tank tops,slacks, jumpsuits, warm up suits, underwear, bra, pajamas, and robes.

In many instances, it may be desirable that the various features of suchmonitoring and control devices be combined to together provide a morefully functional monitoring and/or control device. In one embodiment, adetachable key fob device may be attached to monitoring and/or controldevices. The key fob may act as a point of commonality among monitoringand control devices, which enables the centralization of the datastorage, monitoring, reporting and control functions. The key fob may beconfigured to work with multiple appliances, wearables, and otherdevices from multiple manufacturers.

In one embodiment, the detachable key fob device may have duplicatefunctionality of some components of monitoring and control devices. Inone embodiment, the data captured from each device is tagged with themanufacturer, model number, and other information by the key fob suchthat the data may be interpreted properly by a centralized softwareapplication.

In one embodiment, when the key fob device obtains information or datafrom one or more of the monitoring and/or control devices, the data ismodified to include the manufacturer, model number, and otherinformation such that the data may be interpreted correctly and thatcommands may be properly issued. In one embodiment, when the key fobdevice connects with the monitoring or control device, the key fobcaptures and records information about the device such as manufacturer,model number, data format, and other information to enable centralizedmonitoring and control.

In one embodiment, the attachment of additional information by tagging,modifying, or other means to data obtained from the monitoring orcontrol device may occur when the key fob physically connects to thedevice, when the key fob wirelessly connects to the device, when the keyfob obtains data from the device, when a centralized application obtainsdata from the device, when the key fob is physically disconnected fromthe device, when the key fob is electronically disconnected from thedevice, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, there may be a reusable key fob provided that is usedwith multiple monitoring and control devices from differentmanufacturers. In another embodiment, the key fob may also function as asecurity device. The key fob may contain or generate a security passcode, network identifier, and network information, other means to limitthe potential for unauthorized access to monitoring and/or controldevices. The system may also use a device's MAC address or IMEI numberin combination with security codes and other information from thecentralized software application and key fobs to help preventunauthorized access.

In another embodiment, the functional components of a complete sensory,monitoring, or control device are separated such that some are containedin the key fob and others are in the actual device. By way ofillustration, in some cases it may make sense to have the power and datatransfer components contained in key fob that could be used withmultiple monitoring and control devices from multiple manufacturers. Thespecific functionality of the removable device is variable and couldinclude any combination of the individual functional components or anypart thereof. By way of illustration, a complete monitoring or controldevice may include such functions as a processor, memory, data storage,wireless transmitter, power supply, sensory device, data port, motor,solenoid, etc. One or more functions may for one or more of the devicesmay be implemented on the key fob. There may also be a system in aphysical location or group of locations in which there are multiple keyfobs associated together as a group. In some embodiments, the key fobmay act as a security identifier for the system.

In one embodiment, the method includes consolidating data from multiplemonitoring and/or control devices made by different manufacturers into asingle user interface that may be used on a phone, tablet, computer, orother electronic device. In this manner, the command and controlfunctions from monitoring and/or control devices from differentmanufacturers may be consolidated into a single user interface that maybe used on a phone, tablet, computer, or other electronic device.

In one embodiment, points of connection are embedded that allow data orcommands to be transferred between the key fob, monitoring and/orcontrol device, and the software application in which the key fob servesone or more functions of a complete monitoring or control device. Inother words, the key fob may be configured to recognize a plurality ofdata formats or communications protocols to connect with the variousmonitoring and control devices.

Monitoring and control devices may include data ports that are embeddedinto the devices are at a specific place to physically connect toanother device with a type of socket and plug. Examples of data portsare: universal serial bus (USB) ports, serial ports, parallel ports,expansion slots, firewire, IEEE 1394, Small Computer System Interface(SCSI) Ports, Ethernet Ports, PS/2 Ports, Audio Ports, AcceleratedGraphics Port (AGP) slot, eSATA Ports, eSATAp Ports, Video GraphicsArray (VGA) Connector, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI),Display Ports, Thunderbolt Ports, Standard A Ports, Standard B Ports,Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), Micro-USB Ports, and UPAMDP1823 Ports. In one embodiment, a single monitoring or control devicemay have multiple data ports for multiple devices. Further, the devicesmay utilize one or more wireless connections using known wirelessprotocols such as Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, etc.

In one embodiment, the data port function of the device could be in aseparate component that attaches and detaches from the device. In otherwords, the device may be configured to be modular By way ofillustration, a shoe may be designed such that the heel (a modularsubpart of the shoe) can be detached and reattached to the shoe. A dataport may still reside in the shoe, or may be incorporated into thedetachable heel component as well. By way of further illustration, along sleeved shirt with detachable sleeves may incorporate the data portinto the shirt, or the detachable sleeves, or both the shirt and thedetachable sleeves.

One or more embodiments will now be described with reference to thedrawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic of a monitoring or control system,according to one exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 1, a key fob 100 may beconnected to a plurality of monitoring and/or control devices. In FIG.1, wearable glasses 110 a, a wrist band 110 b, a smart shoe 110 c, asmart shirt 110 c, and a heart rate/health monitoring device 110 n areshown to be in communication with the key fob 100. Any other number ofdevices may be connected to the key fob 100, such as a clip-onpedometer, an Internet of Things (IoT) device such as a lightingcontroller, a smart thermostat, etc. The devices 110 a-110 n may bewired or wirelessly connected to the fob 100, as described above.

The fob 100 is configured to receive data collected from the devices 110a-110 n via the wired or wireless connection. The fob 100 is thusconfigured to communicate with different devices produced by variousmanufacturers. The fob 100 is also configured to send a data output toone or more of the devices 110 a-110 n.

The fob 100 may also be in communication with one or more computingdevices, such as a smart phone 120, a personal computer 130, and anyother computing device. The fob may forward data received from thevarious devices 110 a-110 n to the smart phone 120 and/or personalcomputer 130, and forward commands to the devices 110 a-110 n from thesmart phone 120 and/or personal computer 130.

The fob 100 may be wired or wirelessly connected to the smart phone 120and/or personal computer 130, similar to the manner described above. Inother embodiments, the fob 100 may be in communication with a remoteserver via a wired or wireless network connection.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an electronic FOB device for integratingfunctionality of a plurality of monitoring or control devices, accordingto one exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 2, the fob 200 comprises anelectronic control unit (“ECU”) 210. The ECU 210 may comprise aprocessor and memory storing machine readable instructions executable bythe processor to drive the functionality of the fob 200.

The ECU 210 is connected to a power source 220. The power source 220 mayinclude a battery and a power management device. The power source 220may be connectable to an outside power source.

In one embodiment, the fob 200 further comprises a number of firstinput/output devices 212 a-212 n. The input/output devices may compriseone or more ports, such as the ports described above for connecting toone or more monitoring and/or control devices. Additionally, the fob 200comprises one or more transceivers 214. The transceiver 214 has anantenna 216 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals. Thetransceiver 214 may connect to one or more external devices such as themonitoring and/or control devices, or a computer or smart phone device.The fob 200 may also comprise a second input/output device configured toconnect to the smart phone or personal computer. The wired and wirelessinput/output devices 212 a-212 n, 214 may be considered input/outputmodules.

The fob 200 may be an exemplary fob for use as the fob 100 in the systemshown in FIG. 1. The fob 200 may comprise one or more segregatedfunctionality for one or more of the connected monitoring and/or controldevices. As one example, the fob 200 may comprise a GPS or otherlocation tracking device. The location detected by the fob 200 may bedata that is combined with the data output from one or more of theconnected monitoring and/or control devices.

In another embodiment, the fob 200 may facilitate additionalfunctionality between the monitoring and control devices. That is,functionality or control of one of the devices may be dependent on acontrol or an input received from another one of the devices. Forexample, the fob 200 may be connected to a fitness tracking band thatdetects acceleration, motion, and/or heart rate of a user and may alsobe connected to a smart home device such as a thermostat. The fob 200 inconnection with both devices may receive an input from the fitnesstracker of a sustained increase in movement and/or heart rate. Based onthe input, the fob 200 may send a command to the thermostat to decreasethe temperature during the exercise of the user.

In some embodiments, the fob 200 may comprise one or more applicationsstored in the memory of the ECU 210. The applications facilitate controland feedback to and from the connected devices. The fob 200 may alsoinclude a display device and one or more input devices to interact withthe fob 200. In another embodiment, the computing devices 120, 130 maycomprise one or more applications to evaluate the data received from thefob 100, 200 and send control instructions to one or more of theconnected devices to the fob 100, 200. By such applications, the usermay be able to interact with all of the connected devices, includingviewing data from the various devices and providing controlinstructions.

In some embodiments, a memory on the ECU 210 may be modified to add orreplace “translators” for new devices. This allows the fob 200 tocommunicate with an ever changing array of devices which may be producedby different manufacturers and which may generate different types ofoutputs.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a computing or mobile device for the monitoringand control system, according to one exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 showsan example of a generic computing device 300 and a generic mobilecomputing device 350, which may be used with the techniques describedhere. Computing device 300 is intended to represent various forms ofdigital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personaldigital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and otherappropriate computers. Computing device 350 is intended to representvarious forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants,cellular telephones, smart phones, and other similar computing devices.The components shown here, their connections and relationships, andtheir functions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant tolimit implementations of the inventions described and/or claimed in thisdocument.

Computing device 300 includes a processor 302, memory 304, a storagedevice 306, a high-speed interface or controller 308 connecting tomemory 304 and high-speed expansion ports 310, and a low-speed interfaceor controller 312 connecting to low-speed bus 314 and storage device306. Each of the components 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312, areinterconnected using various busses, and may be mounted on a commonmotherboard or in other manners as appropriate. The processor 302 canprocess instructions for execution within the computing device 300,including instructions stored in the memory 304 or on the storage device306 to display graphical information for a GUI on an externalinput/output device, such as display 316 coupled to high-speedcontroller 308. In other implementations, multiple processors and/ormultiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memoriesand types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices 300 may beconnected, with each device providing portions of the necessaryoperations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers, or amulti-processor system).

The memory 304 stores information within the computing device 300. Inone implementation, the memory 304 is a volatile memory unit or units.In another implementation, the memory 304 is a non-volatile memory unitor units. The memory 304 may also be another form of computer-readablemedium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

The storage device 306 is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device 300. In one implementation, the storage device 306 maybe or contain a computer-readable medium, such as a hard disk device, anoptical disk device, or a tape device, a flash memory or other similarsolid state memory device, or an array of devices, including devices ina storage area network or other configurations. A computer programproduct can be tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computerprogram product may also contain instructions that, when executed,perform one or more methods, such as those described above. Theinformation carrier is a computer- or machine-readable medium, such asthe memory 304, the storage device 306, or memory on processor 302.

The high-speed controller 308 manages bandwidth-intensive operations forthe computing device 300, while the low-speed controller 312 manageslower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of functions isexemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speed controller 308 iscoupled to memory 304, display 316 (e.g., through a graphics processoror accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports 310, which may acceptvarious expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speedcontroller 312 is coupled to storage device 306 and low-speed bus 314.The low-speed bus 314, which may include various communication ports(e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet) may be coupled toone or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard, a pointing device,a scanner, or a networking device such as a switch or router, e.g.,through a network adapter.

The computing device 300 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as astandard server 320, or multiple times in a group of such servers. Itmay also be implemented as part of a rack server system 324. Inaddition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptopcomputer 322. Alternatively, components from computing device 300 may becombined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), such asdevice 350. Each of such devices may contain one or more of computingdevice 300, 350, and an entire system may be made up of multiplecomputing devices 300, 350 communicating with each other.

Computing device 350 includes a processor 352, memory 364, aninput/output device such as a display 354, a communication interface366, and a transceiver 368, among other components. The device 350 mayalso be provided with a storage device, such as a microdrive or otherdevice, to provide additional storage. Each of the components 350, 352,364, 354, 366, and 368, are interconnected using various buses, andseveral of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or inother manners as appropriate.

The processor 352 can execute instructions within the computing device350, including instructions stored in the memory 364. The processor maybe implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate and multipleanalog and digital processors. The processor may provide, for example,for coordination of the other components of the device 350, such ascontrol of user interfaces, applications run by device 350, and wirelesscommunication by device 350.

Processor 352 may communicate with a user through control interface 358and display interface 356 coupled to a display 354. The display 354 maybe, for example, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display)or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or other appropriatedisplay technology. The display interface 356 may comprise appropriatecircuitry for driving the display 354 to present graphical and otherinformation to a user. The control interface 358 may receive commandsfrom a user and convert them for submission to the processor 352. Inaddition, an external interface 362 may be provide in communication withprocessor 352, so as to enable near area communication of device 350with other devices. External interface 362 may provide, for example, forwired communication in some implementations, or for wirelesscommunication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces may alsobe used.

The memory 364 stores information within the computing device 350. Thememory 364 can be implemented as one or more of a computer-readablemedium or media, a volatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatilememory unit or units. Expansion memory 374 may also be provided andconnected to device 350 through expansion interface 372, which mayinclude, for example, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) cardinterface. Such expansion memory 374 may provide extra storage space fordevice 350, or may also store applications or other information fordevice 350. Specifically, expansion memory 374 may include instructionsto carry out or supplement the processes described above, and mayinclude secure information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory 374may be provide as a security module for device 350, and may beprogrammed with instructions that permit secure use of device 350. Inaddition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards, alongwith additional information, such as placing identifying information onthe SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory,as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product istangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer programproduct contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or moremethods, such as those described above. The information carrier is acomputer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 364, expansionmemory 374, or memory on processor 352, that may be received, forexample, over transceiver 368 or external interface 362.

Device 350 may communicate wirelessly through communication interface366, which may include digital signal processing circuitry wherenecessary. Communication interface 366 may provide for communicationsunder various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, orMMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others.Such communication may occur, for example, through radio-frequencytransceiver 368. In addition, short-range communication may occur, suchas using a Bluetooth, Wife, or other such transceiver (not shown). Inaddition, GPS (Global Positioning system) receiver module 370 mayprovide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data todevice 350, which may be used as appropriate by applications running ondevice 350.

Device 350 may also communicate audibly using audio codec 360, which mayreceive spoken information from a user and convert it to usable digitalinformation. Audio codec 360 may likewise generate audible sound for auser, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of device 350. Suchsound may include sound from voice telephone calls, may include recordedsound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) and may also includesound generated by applications operating on device 350.

The computing device 350 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as acellular telephone 380. It may also be implemented as part of a smartphone 382, personal digital assistant, a computer tablet, or othersimilar mobile device.

Thus, various implementations of the systems and techniques describedhere can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integratedcircuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integratedcircuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinationsthereof. These various implementations can include implementation in oneor more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichmay be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium”“computer-readable medium” refers to any computer program product,apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory,Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructionsand/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readablemedium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed here can be implemented on a computer having a display device(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor)for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provideinput to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in acomputing system (e.g., computing device 300 and/or 350) that includes aback end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes amiddleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes afront end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical userinterface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with animplementation of the systems and techniques described here), or anycombination of such back end, middleware, or front end components. Thecomponents of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium ofdigital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples ofcommunication networks include a local area network (“LAN”), a wide areanetwork (“WAN”), and the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

In the example embodiment, computing devices 300 and 350 are configuredto receive and/or retrieve electronic documents from various othercomputing devices connected to computing devices 300 and 350 through acommunication network, and store these electronic documents within atleast one of memory 304, storage device 306, and memory 364. Computingdevices 300 and 350 are further configured to manage and organize theseelectronic documents within at least one of memory 304, storage device306, and memory 364 using the techniques described herein.

The systems and methods in the present disclosure have a number ofadvantages. Consumers may be able to monitor all their physical data andalso control appliances and audio visual devices from a single userinterface. Moreover, consumers may not be required to download orinstall new software in all their electronic devices such as cellphones, tablets, desktop computers and laptop computers just becausethey bought a new shirt or changed an appliance or other device in theirhome.

The segregation of functionality results in unique advantages. Bylimiting the functionality contained in the sensory or control device,the cost of the additional functionality is reduced for the device.Additional cost savings are realized by having a several key fobs thatcan be connected to many different monitoring or control devices fromdifferent manufacturers.

It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatusand the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of theprinciples of this invention and many other embodiments andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fob device for segregating functionality from aplurality of monitoring and control devices, the fob device comprising:a plurality of input modules, the input modules each being configured toconnect with one of the plurality of monitoring or control devices, theplurality of monitoring and control devices comprising devices utilizingat least two distinct communication protocols; at least one outputmodule configured to be communicatively coupled to a remote computingdevice; a memory comprising control instructions relating to at leastone functionality of at least one of the plurality if monitoring andcontrol devices; and an electronic control unit configured to receivedata from monitoring and control devices communicatively coupled to thefob device, associate the received data with one of the communicativelycoupled monitoring or control devices, execute the control instructionsto activate the at least one functionality of the at least one of theplurality of monitoring and control devices, and output the receiveddata associated with the one of the communicatively coupled monitoringor control devices.
 2. The fob device according to claim 1, wherein whenthe fob device connects with the communicatively coupled monitoring orcontrol devices, the key fob captures and records information about thedevices.
 3. The fob device according to claim 2, wherein the capturedand recorded information comprises device manufacturer, model number,and data format.
 4. The fob device according to claim 3, wherein theelectronic control unit associates the received data by tagging thereceived data with captured and recorded information.
 5. The fob deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein electronic control unit modifies thereceived data to include the captured and recorded information.
 6. Amonitoring and/or control device having segregated functionality, thedevice comprising: at least one first modular component configured toperform a first functionality, the first modular portion comprising oneor more input/output modules, and comprising a memory storing controlinstructions executable to perform a second functionality; and at leastone second modular component configured to perform the secondfunctionality, the second modular portion comprising one or moreinput/output modules, the at least one second modular component beingconfigured to be communicatively coupled to the at least one firstmodular component; wherein the first functionality is operableindependent of the second functionality.
 7. The monitoring and/orcontrol device of claim 6, wherein the at least one first modularcomponent comprises a fob device configured to be communicativelycoupled to a plurality of the second modular component.
 8. Themonitoring and/or control device of claim 7, wherein the second modularcomponent comprises a wearable device.
 9. The monitoring and/or controldevice of claim 8, wherein the wearable device comprises a first modularsubpart and at least one interchangeable second modular subpart, thefirst modular subpart being communicatively coupled to the fob device,and the interchangeable second modular subpart being communicativelycoupled to the first modular subpart.
 10. A method for controlling andintegrating a plurality of monitoring and control devices, the methodcomprising: providing a fob device comprising: a plurality of inputmodules, the input modules each being configured to connect with one ofthe plurality of monitoring or control devices, the plurality ofmonitoring and control devices comprising devices utilizing at least twodistinct communication protocols; at least one output module configuredto be communicatively coupled to a remote computing device; a memorycomprising control instructions relating to at least one functionalityof at least one of the plurality of monitoring and control devices; andan electronic control unit; receiving data at the fob device from one ormore of the plurality of monitoring and control devices communicativelycoupled to the fob device; associating the received data with one of thecommunicatively coupled monitoring or control devices; executing thecontrol instructions to activate the at least one functionality of theat least one of the plurality if monitoring and control devices; andoutputting the received data associated with the one of thecommunicatively coupled monitoring or control devices.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein when the fob device connects with the communicativelycoupled monitoring or control devices, the key fob captures and recordsinformation about the devices.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thecaptured and recorded information comprises device manufacturer, modelnumber, and data format.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein theelectronic control unit associates the received data by tagging thereceived data with captured and recorded information.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein electronic control unit modifies the received data toinclude the captured and recorded information.
 15. The method of claim12, further comprising: providing program instructions executable on atleast one of the fob device or the remote computing device; based oninformation received from a first device of the plurality of monitoringand control devices at the fob device, determining a command executableby a second device of the plurality of monitoring and control devices;and outputting the command to the second device via the fob device. 16.The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of monitoring and controldevices comprises at least one of a wearable device and an Internet ofThings device.